Today's Liverpool FC transfer news sees a change of direction after Liverpool's weekend from hell
Xabi Alonso looks into the distance.
Xabi Alonso has been linked with Liverpool after leaving Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool fans were just dealt the weekend from hell. While the team succumbed to a dire 1-1 draw against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday, the transfer market provided no respite as news of Marc Guehi's move to Manchester City broke the day before.
The Crystal Palace captain was left out for the Eagles' miserable 2-1 defeat at Sunderland and has now wrapped up his £20m switch to the Etihad.
The Times' Paul Joyce (via Rousing the Kop) carried out an autopsy on Liverpool's doomed pursuit of Guehi, identifying three factors that contributed to the Reds losing out on the England centre back.
Joyce said: "It is clear Liverpool hoped Guehi would recognise the efforts they had made to sign him before Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug on a deal on deadline day and, in turn, waited for them until the summer.
"The flipside of that is that Liverpool are not as attractive a proposition now as they were then for any player.
"City’s reputed wage offer of £300,000 a week, in addition to paying an initial £20m fee, was a deal Liverpool were unwilling to match financially. They had no intention of bidding this month."
Various media outlets have sought to take advantage of the uproar over Guehi and the Reds' performances by dredging up transfer links from weeks or even months ago.
Alessandro Bastoni - widely believed to be on Liverpool's shortlist - has been back in the news, despite no new updates since the defender's comments made last month in which he indicated he will most likely remain at Inter next season.
Fichajes have also run unsourced stories on the Reds' purported interest in Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven.
TEAMtalk did report that Camavinga was of genuine interest to Liverpool back in December, but the same publication has also recently claimed that Van de Ven is in talks over a new contract at Spurs.
Meanwhile, The Athletic's James Pearce has reiterated that Arne Slot "retains the backing" of the board despite fan unrest over poor performances and playing style, which led to boos ringing around Anfield after the final whistle against Burnley.
Pearce wrote that FSG "have no plans" to change the manager mid-season. One update however, has given that messaging a more ominous tone for the Dutchman.
Alonso wants Premier League move
Xabi Alonso waves to Bayer Leverkusen fans.
Xabi Alonso has left his post as Real Madrid head coach and is believed to be interested in managing a Premier League side next(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Tom Allnutt of The Times has reported that Xabi Alonso is "keen on a move to the Premier League" in the summer, as he weighs up his next destination following his split from Real Madrid last week.
Alonso was reportedly Liverpool's first-choice candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager, following his announcement that he would step down from the role at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Alonso ultimately stayed at Bayer Leverkusen for another season before taking the reins at the Bernabeu, with Slot leading the Reds to the Premier League title in his debut season.
The tide can turn quickly in football, however, and Alonso now finds himself out of a job having led Leverkusen to an invincible domestic season less than two years ago.
Slot's position being under threat was equally unthinkable just six months ago, but a failure to beat any of the three newly-promoted teams at home has underlined the extent of Liverpool's drop-off from last season.
Though the mitigating circumstances of Dioga Jota's death should still be considered for the remainder of this season, Slot's man management and tactics have been questioned and the Dutchman is under pressure to reinvigorate the defending champions.
Alonso's preferred timeline for a return to the dugout tallies with FSG's preference to avoid a mid-season change, and means speculation is likely to rage for the remainder of the season unless Slot can oversee a shift in the mood around the club.
Speaking while still in his former post at Real Madrid in December, Alonso again indicated his interest in one day taking the Liverpool job.
Alonso said: "There’s this bond with the English clubs, for sure with my former club, but at the moment this is my place. This is where I want to be. In the future, you never know what could happen."
Konate contract hits the rocks
Ibrahima Konate walks in front of banners and flags on the Kop.
Ibrahima Konate's contract is up at the end of the season, with no breakthroughs made in negotiations to resign the French defender(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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The Athletic's David Ornstein last week reported that Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave upon the expiry of his contract this summer, with "no breakthrough" in Liverpool's attempts to tie him down to a new deal.
This update came as no surprise to supporters, with the French defender previously linked heavily to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos were widely reported last month to have dropped their interest in signing Konate (Daily Mail), but as January 1 passed with no news on his contract situation, the 26-year-old is now free to negotiate with overseas club.
TEAMtalk have now reported that the Reds and Konate "remain some distance apart" in negotiations, with the centre back's demands considered too high for what the club is prepared to offer.
The former RB Leipzig man s said to have rejected revised proposals over the last month, believing he should be among the best-paid defenders in the Premier League - though reports of wage demands as high as £300,000 per week are said to be false.
The TEAMtalk source said: "Talks went quite well over the international breaks in October and November, but since December and now, things have again stalled.
"Liverpool are confident that Konate has not agreed terms, or is close to, with any other side, but they know interest is there."
While this could indicate that the Reds still hold onto some hope of extending Konates time at Anfield, a back-up plan has to be in place. It looks increasingly likely Liverpool will need to enter the market for at least two defenders this summer.
Liverpool transition to continue into next season
A wide-ranging report from Paul Joyce of The Times has exposed the extent of the churn at Liverpool, with a period of transition set to continue into next season with numerous key figures yet to agree extensions to their current terms.
Besides Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson is also in the final six months of his contract, and last week left his future plans open, emphasising his desire to play more games.
Joyce has reported (via Liverpool.com) that Kostas Tsimikas is expected to rejoin the Liverpool squad in the summer, and could replace Robertson as back-up to Milos Kerkez should the Scot decide to move on for pastures new.
Curtis Jones, meanwhile, has entered the final 18 months of his Liverpool deal, and we covered Tottenham Hotspurs' previous interest in a move for the midfielder in this column last week.
Though Jones has indicated his ambitions of becoming captain and has arguably been Liverpool's best midfielder during the side's 12-game unbeaten run, Joyce (via This Is Anfield) questioned whether the Scouser might "feel it is time to be more of a guaranteed starter somewhere [else]".
The clock is also ticking on the contracts of Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards and Arne Slot, all three of which will expire in 18 months.
Joyce (via This Is Anfield) drew attention to the "state of flux" the club finds itself in despite a global record summer window in which Liverpool spent £444.5m on new signings.
Liverpool could miss out on two more defensive 'targets'
Jeremy Jacquet in Stade Rennais home colours walks on the pitch.
Chelsea are in talks to sign Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet(Image: Getty Images)
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Chelsea have accelerated attempts to sign a 376th centre-half with a move for 20-year-old Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet. BBC Sport report the Blues are in talks with Rennes and the player's agent, who could cost up to £60m.
BBC Sport "understands there is substantial rival interest" in Jacquet, who was linked with Liverpool previously - as covered in this column two weeks ago.
However, the Reds could currently be unable to register an additional non-homegrown player without removing someone else from the squad.
The obvious player who would've met those criteria was Marc Guehi, but Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse would also fit the bill.
Liverpool were said to be "monitoring" the Leeds United academy graduate at the start of the month, along with Newcastle United and Manchester City, but he has since been approached by Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed that Wolfsburg have seen a second bid for the 23-year-old centre-half, worth around €20m (£17.4m), rejected by the French side.
But two new ones have been linked to the Reds
Givairo Read in Feyenoord away colours is pursued by Dylan Vente in SC Heerenveen home colours.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Feyenoord defender Givairo Read(Image: Getty Images)
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Tobi Altschäffl, deputy head of football writing at BILD (via Rousing the Kop), has reported that Liverpool are interested in signing Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read.
After injury to Conor Bradley, TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey credited the Reds with an interest in Read, but reliable reports shot down the idea of a stopgap option.
Read, 19, was given his debut at Feyenoord by Slot and is a rapid full-back with four goals and 11 assists from 50 senior appearances to date.
While it is rare for Liverpool to move for a player with so few career appearances under their belt, Read is a player of high potential and has been linked heavily with Bayern Munich. It was in this capacity that Altschäffl commented on the Reds' interest.
Altschäffl said: "Bayern are in contact with Read's agency, and as you said, the move is basically planned for the summer. In England, however, it could be that some clubs register their interest.
"Manchester City need players anyway, Liverpool are interested in the player, and at Newcastle there have been new injury concerns – among others, Schär is injured.
"If an English club were to come in now, Bayern have been assured that they would be informed, so that they could already become active regarding Read. Essentially a kind of matching right – more or less a verbally agreed matching right.
"But the plan remains for the Read deal to happen in the summer."
Meanwhile, the Danish outlet PL BOLD (via Empire of the Kop) has claimed Liverpool are "closely monitoring" Ousmane Diao of FC Midtjylland.
The 21-year-old centre-half is right-footed and known for his composure and aerial ability, as part of an impressive Midtjylland side that has kept three clean sheets to sit second in the Europa League standings.
RB Leipzig may have to sell Diomande
Promising RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who revealed his "dream" of representing Liverpool in an interview in November, may be sold by his current club in the summer, according to Red Bull CEO of corporate projects and new investments, Oliver Mintzlaff.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Mintzlaff acknowledged that the growing interest in Diomande from top European clubs, including Liverpool, could make a summer move inevitable for the player who made his senior debut for CD Leganés just last season.
Diomande's stock is rising ever-higher with eight goal contributions from 16 Bundesliga games this season at the age of just 19.
Despite signing the player for just £17m from Leganes, Leipzig - who "have to generate revenue" - are expected to demand as much as £87m for Diomande should he continue performing at his current level.
Juventus pivot could end Chiesa interest
Federico Chiesa stands with hands on hips in Liverpool home colours.
Federico Chiesa has been the subject of interest from former club Juventus(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
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Sky Sports have confirmed Juventus' interest in signing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, in a move that could spell the end for the Old Lady's pursuit of Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa.
The French international striker, 28, is understood to be open to a new challenge and would prefer to move to a club that has a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
In a bombshell press conference on Friday, in which he confirmed his own exit and that of Marc Guehi, Eagles manager Oliver Glasner revealed that Mateta, too, could leave the club in January.
Glasner said: "There will be a price where Crystal Palace say '18 months left in his contract, we do the deal if JP wants'. If nobody pays this price then JP will stay."
Tuttosport have, however, suggested that Mateta is an additional target, with Daniel Maldini likely to be Juve's next option after "financial difficulties" complicated the move for Chiesa.
The Italian forward, who left Juventus in 2024 as the only signing of Arne Slot's first summer in charge, is believed to earn around £120,000 per week at Anfield.
Other reports
Trent Alexander-Arnold in casual attire strokes his goatee while he sits on the bench.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly unhappy at Real Madrid following his move from Liverpool last summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is unhappy at Real Madrid, according to X (Twitter) account The Touchline (via TEAMtalk). The source, with 1.5m followers, claimed that a "lack of clarity and communication" while out injured left the former Liverpool right back feeling ignored, amidst rumours of a rift with Xabi Alonso. However, Madrid have no intention of selling.
Anfield legend Sadio Mane has announced he will retire from international football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having won his second AFCON at the weekend. Mane said: "I am so happy, but as I have said, for me, as far as the AFCON is concerned, it's over here."
Rhys Williams, whose heroic performances in the 2020-21 season helped Liverpool through a defensive injury crisis to qualify for the Champions League, will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. James Pearce of The Athletic reported the end could come sooner if a loan move is secured before the end of the current window.
X (Twitter) account Indy Kaila has claimed Newcastle are open to selling one-time Liverpool target Anthony Gordon in the summer, with the club "looking to upgrade in terms of output". Liverpool stuck with Luis Diaz at the time but are in desperate need of reinforcements up top - would you take Gordon now?
Fichajes have claimed Real Madrid could make an enormous bid of around €180m (£156m) for Bayern Munich superstar Michael Olise, who has bagged 13 goals and 20 assists in 28 games this season. As always, it's wise to take reports from this publication with a pinch of salt. Olise has been linked with Liverpool and is seen by many as the natural heir to Mohamed Salah.
TEAMtalk have linked Everton with a shock move for Liverpool academy graduate Harry Wilson, who punished his former club in the 2-2 draw at Fulham on January 4. Wilson will be a free agent in the summer and has scored seven and assisted four in 21 Premier League games this season.
The Reds have cooled their interest in Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report from CaughtOffside. Liverpool haven't been extensively linked with the player, but the club's decision to "walk away" from the move has apparently created a battle for his signature between Manchester United, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Crystal Palace.
And Manchester City are reportedly interested in Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez, according to Fichajes. Stranger things have happened, but one would imagine any move for the Ecuadorian defender would have to wait with Marc Guehi's arrival. Ecuadorian outlets claimed Liverpool were on the verge of signing Ordonez at the start of the month, but these rumours were quickly squashed.
Nonsense of the day
Vinicius Junior in Real Madrid home colours rolls around on the pitch.
Vinicius Junior has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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TEAMtalk have resurrected rumours of potential Liverpool interest in Vinicius Junior in the light of the furore around Real Madrid last week.
Graeme Bailey reported previous interest from the Reds back in December, but stressed in that report that interest had "faded" since the summer, when the club were considering reinforcements on the wing.
The new report, however, sensationally leads with the line "Liverpool transfer ON" despite no new sources linking the player with a move to Anfield.
While Vini, 25, is clearly a sensational talent, he has only managed five goals and five assists this season and concerns around his attitude have been the subject of discussion for years.
The crisis Los Blancos now find themselves in is one of their players' making, with suggestions of a toxic dressing room culture making the team impossible to manage. The poor relationship between Vinícius and Xabi Alonso was also considered to be one of the primary factors in the latter's departure from the position of head coach.
When Alonso substituted Vinicius in the October Clasico after an underwhelming display, the Brazilian winger stormed straight down the tunnel and refused to apologise to his manager after the game.
Saturday's game against Levante saw the Bernabeu turn against the players, with boos ringing around the stadium every time Madrid's players touched the ball.